Anti-abortion activists plan chapel next door to health center

Members already protest on site

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. -
Anti-abortion activists have started working on plans to open a prayer chapel next door to a health clinic in South Bend where abortions are performed.

Organizers are trying to raise $250,000 to buy and renovate an existing building neighboring the Women's Pavilion clinic, WSBT-TV of South Bend reported Thursday.

Abortion opponents already frequently hold protests and prayer gatherings outside the clinic in a business office area on the city's north side.

"We already know that prayer affects the decisions that are made and saves lives and we just think this is going to really maximize this effort," said Shawn Sullivan, a leader of the South Bend 40 Days for Life effort.

Pearl Lloyd, the acting administrator at Women's Pavilion, said she worried having the chapel next door will make patients uncomfortable and that nothing the clinic does is illegal.

"A patient feels bad enough having to come here without being picked on by them," Lloyd said.

Chapel organizers said they hope to have it open in November and for it to also house an adoption agency and the St. Joseph County Right to Life organization.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.